Chelsea plot £25million summer bid to re-sign Ryan Bertrand from Southampton
Antonio Conte keen to pile pressure on wing-backs Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses as Blues eye Champions League
CHELSEA are keen to re-sign left-back Ryan Bertrand from Southampton.
Boss Antonio Conte wants more competition in the wing-back and full-back ranks, and sees Bertrand as an ideal addition to his squad.
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The England defender was originally sold to Saints for £10 million in 2015, but he's likely to cost considerably more now.
Bertrand's current contract runs to 2021, and the south-coast club value him at over £25million.
Since leaving Stamford Bridge, Bertrand has established himself as one of the finest left-backs in the Premier League.
Chelsea's springboard towards the Prem title was the introduction of a 3-4-3 system using Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses as the wing-backs.
Conte has precious little cover here, though, and is also conscious that Chelsea will have many extra matches next season as they are destined to return to the Champions League after a year out of Europe.
Bertand has scored one goal and made four assists this season and has shown himself to be a highly-rated attacking force whose defensive duties are never overlooked.